Before registering
1. Contact the UWV or the municipality if you receive a benefit
Do you want to start a business and do you receive benefits? First discuss your plans with the UWV. Or with your municipality if you receive a social assistance benefit.
2. About the vof (vennootschap onder firma)
Do you want to start a company with a business partner under a shared company name? The legal structure vennootschap onder firma (vof, general partnership) may be the right choice for you. Read more about the vof.
3. The difference between natural persons and non-natural persons
A natural person is a human being of flesh and blood. A non-natural person is an organisation. For example, a bv, cv, maatschap, vof, cooperative, vereniging (association), or stichting (foundation). This article is about registering a vof with natural persons. You can also:
- register a vof with only non-natural persons as partners, or
- register a vof with natural and non-natural persons as partners.
Register your vof step by step
1. Log in using DigiD
First, determine which of the partners will start the registration process.
2. Fill in the registration form
Fill in all parts of the digital registration form step by step. Did you log out at any point? No worries, your details will be saved.
Consult the pdf for the English terminology
The online registration process is only available in Dutch. To find out what is being asked of you, you can consult form 32 for registering a vof. You can also opt to fill out the form, print it, and bring it to your appointment.
3. Check your information
You need a fully completed form to make an appointment and finalise the registration of your vof. Did you make a mistake? You can amend it during your appointment.
4. Make an appointment
Once you have completed the registration form you can make an appointment online to finalise your registration at a KVK office of your choice. Should you wish to, you can change or cancel your appointment online.
5. Changing or canceling your prepared registration
Login using DigiD. Choose lopende inschrijving (active registration) and then inschrijving bewerken (change registration) to edit your registration. Or click the dustbin icon to delete everything. If you have made an appointment, that will be deleted, too.
Register UBOs
UBOs (ultimate beneficial owners) are the persons who have the ultimate stake in an organisation, for example because they have certain voting rights. You must register your UBOs when you start a new vof. First determine who are the UBOs for your organisation. Then fill in form 32 and bring it to your appointment.
About the appointment
All partners must come by in person to identify themselves with a valid ID. A KVK employee checks your ID and all completed forms to see if your registration is complete.
Registration fee
- You pay a registration fee. Please note: You can only pay with your mobile, by scanning the QR code on the invoice we give you.
- You can buy a KVK Business Register Extract directly after you have registered.
FAQs about registering a vof
At Help & Contact you will find all frequently asked questions about DigiD.
Only one of the partners in the vof can register. You can help someone else with the registration, but a partner must log in with their own DigiD.
We advise you to document the agreements you make with your partners in a partnership contract (a vof contract). In this contract, you also document the authority of each partner. Bring the vof contract to your KVK appointment, or send it to KVK by post (if you do not have to make an appointment in person).
You register your business 1 week before or after the start of business activities. Prepare your registration online. Then schedule an appointment for the identification check and the completion of your registration. You will then immediately receive your KVK number. Registering is possible at any KVK office in the Netherlands.
You can also visit us earlier for the check of your pre-completed details and proof of identity. This is possible up to a maximum of 3 months before your start date. In this case, you will receive your KVK number by post in the week prior to your start date. You can schedule an appointment up to 8 weeks in advance.
You will receive a KVK number number when you register in the Business Register. If you register your company 1 week before or after starting business activities, you will receive your KVK number immediately.
Visit earlier
You may also visit us earlier to check your pre-completed details and proof of identity. This is possible up to a maximum of 3 months before your start date. Then prepare your registration online and make an appointment at one of our offices. You can schedule an appointment up to 8 weeks in advance.
We will register your company from 1 week before your specified start date. After registration, you will receive a written confirmation, your KVK number and an invoice for the registration fee by post.
Taking over a business
Are you taking over a business? Then we will send you the new KVK number on the takeover date.
Registration in the preparation phase is possible in some cases. Preparations include ordering goods, applying for permits, or renting business premises. To complete the registration, make an appointment online by logging in with DigiD. Registration is possible at any KVK office in the Netherlands.
You can only register your business if you have a Dutch visiting address. Do you live in an area bordering the Netherlands? And can you show genuine, physical business activities in the Netherlands? Only then you can register with a visiting address that is abroad. Follow these steps to register:
- Choose a legal form and fill in the (digital) registration form
To register as a sole proprietorship (zzp), you need a DigiD. You apply for this using your Citizen Service Number (BSN). If you do not have a BSN, follow these steps:- Register in the Non-residents Records (RNI)
- You will immediately get a BSN.
- Use your BSN to apply for a DigiD. The Netherlands Worldwide explains how to apply for a DigiD abroad. This requires Dutch nationality, or the nationality of another country in the European Economic (EEA).
- Use your DigiD to register your sole proprietorship.
- Make an appointment and complete your registration at a KVK office.
- Bring the following with you:
- A valid proof of identity and an original extract (or a legalised copy) from the personal records database where you live, or another original proof (or a legalised copy), such as from an official organisation or a bank, showing your private address.
Note: this proof may not be older than 1 month. Submit this proof in a language we can read. If we cannot read it, KVK can ask you to have the documents translated into Dutch, English, German or French. This does not need to be by a sworn translator. - A copy of the rental, purchase or lease contract of the (Dutch) visiting address. This must be signed by 2 parties.
- A valid proof of identity and an original extract (or a legalised copy) from the personal records database where you live, or another original proof (or a legalised copy), such as from an official organisation or a bank, showing your private address.
All the FAQs about UBOs can be found under Help & Contact.
You do not need to register separately with the Netherlands Tax Administration. You submit information when preparing your registration, which the KVK forwards in digital form to the Tax Administration. You will receive a letter of confirmation for your registration with the Tax Administration. After around 10 working days, you will receive a notification from the Tax Administration.
Is your question not included? More frequently asked questions can be found on our Help and contact page. It also states how you can contact us.